Door check and closer.



C. V. BERRY.

DOOR CHECK AND CLOSER.

APPLIGATION FILED APE.10,.1913.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

2 SHBETSSHEET l INVENTOR Allorney NORRI PErERS 60., PHOTO-Livia. WASHINGTON. n. I

0. V. BERRY;

DOOR CHECK AND CLOSER.

APPLIGATIONPILED APR. 10, 1913.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915;

2 SHEETSSHEET 2,.

lllln A [lame YHE NORRIS PETERS 60.. PH010 LITHO- WASHING raw. D. C. i

CHARLES V. BERRY, OF MANSFIELD, OHIO.

DOOR CHECK AND CLOSER.

Application filed April 10, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES V. BERRY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mansfield, in the county of Richland and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Door Checks and Closers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention is a spring hinge for doors, and the like, wherein the door may be easily and quickly placed in position, or removed therefrom without the employment of tools.

lVhile the invention is adapted for use in any type of door, it is more particularly designed for those doors which are intended to be frequently removed from their operative positions for storage or other purposes, such for example, as storm doors and screen doors.

A purpose of the invention is to provide means which support and actuate a door to permit the same to be adjusted to a predetermined position, such as normally closed, and capable of movement in various directions, whereby when the door has been moved to any of its various positions, it will be automatically returned to set position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a suitable check to the movement of the door to prevent swinging of the door from its set position, the checking device being actuated by a part of the door supporting and actuating means.

A further object of the invention is to permit the adjustment of the various working parts, without removing the parts from their positions in the floor or door, the various parts being so concealed in the floor or door that they will not mar the appearance, but will protect the working parts from dust, dirt or weather.

l Vith these and other objects in view, the invention embodies an adjustable springactuated supporting element at one end of a door adapted to engage means positioned in the floor for permitting the movement of the door from its closed position to various opened positions, the spring-actuated supporting element operating to automatically return the door to a predetermined closed position, the automatic movement of the door being limited by a checking device co- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

Serial No. 760,240.

operating with a part of the spring-actuated supporting element.

The invention consists, also, in the features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and specified in the appended claims.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but the construction shown therein is to be understood as merely illustrative, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the lower spring hinge and the checking device, showing a portion of the door in position over the floor plate. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the floor plate. Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of a portion of a door showing the relative position of the door-supporting member and the checking device. Fig. 4: is a vertical sectional View through the spring hinge of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detailed view of an anti-friction device carried by the levers of the spring hinge, and Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed View showing another embodiment of the bearing surfaces between the spindle and door supporting member of the spring hinge.

In the accompanying drawings, the door is indicated at A, the door frame at B, and the floor at C.

The floor is preferably provided with a cut out portion, as at 0, sufficiently large to accommodate a suitable floor plate indicated at 10. This floor plate is preferably provided with a downwardly projecting portion 11 fitting within the cut away portion of the floor, within which downwardly projecting portion is formed a chamber indicated at 12. The plate 10 is preferably positioned flush with the floor.

Into the chamber 12 is positioned suitable retaining means in the form of clamping arms 13 which are secured to the plate by any suitable means, such as the screw 14-, engaging a lip 15, while the free ends of these clamping arms 16 are adapted to be engaged by suitable adjusting means, such as the screw 17 having a head which bears against one of said arms 16, the shank of which screw is threaded to engage the other of said arms whereby the arms may be brought into close position or separated, as may be desired. This clamping member 1.3 is designed to retain a socket or weight supporting member 18 in position in the therefore, retained in such position against movement. This socket member is provided, preferably, with a concave portion 19 and v with an upstanding rib 20, for the purposes to be hereinafter set forth.

In Figs. 1 and 3, I have shown thespring hinge and the check mechanism applied to and concealed within the door. The mechanism is held in place by a'suitable casing D having a lower retaining plate E and a side retaining plate F. The plate F may be curved, as shown, to permit the swinging of the door and the close adjustment of the door to its frame B. The spring hinge mechanism is preferably placed at the rear 'of the door where it may be concealed from view when the door is in its closed position, although it is obvious that the mechanism can be placed on the outer surface of the door, if desired.

The spring hinge mechanism, illustrated more particularly in Figs. 1 and a is mounted within the casing D to move in unison with the door. Protruding beyond the lower surface of this casing D, in the event the mechanism disclosed in Fig. 1 is employed in the lower end of the door, is a door-supporting member 21, shown as substantially convex in shape, to fit within the concave socket 19 of the weight-supporting member 18. This member 21 is preferably provided with a slot 22 to be engaged by the upstanding rib 20. The upper end of this member 21 is provided with an upstanding post 23 which passes through a wall E of j the easing into the chamber for the spring hinge mechanism. The upper end of this post 23 is provided with lateral arms 24 on which are mounted anti-friction devices in the form of rollers 25. The upper end of this'post is preferablyprovided also with a seat 26 of any preferred shape. This seat is shown in Figs. 1 and at as concave or cone shape,,while in Fig. 8, it is shown provided with ball-bearings and a race.

Positioned eXteriorly of the casing E, and preferably integral with the member 21, are two cam-like wings 27, the extreme outer portions of which are preferably flattened, as shown at e in Fig. 3. These cam members 27 are adapted to engage a slide 28 mounted upon the plate E for reciprocating said slide into and out of engagement with a pawl 29, the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained.

' Within the casing I) is a transverse supporting plate (Z to which is fulcrumed levers 30. The lower end of these levers are preferably provided with anti-friction devices, such as the rollers 31, which normally bear against the upstanding post 23, and are adapted to engage the anti-friction mem- ,be'rs carried by said post. These rollers 31 are preferably provided with a grooved periphery, as shown at 32 of Fig. 7, whereby when the levers are moved to a position .at

right angles to their normal position with reference to the upstanding post, said rollers31 will ride upon and engage the rollers 25, the concaved face 32 of said "rollers 31 conforming substantially to the curved surface of the rollers 25.

Positioned between the levers is a spring actuated telescopic member comprising aspindle 33, a sleeve and a spring Q0. The lower end of the spindle 33 is shown stepped in the bearing surface 26 of the up- The upper end of this sleeve is provided with a threaded portion 37, and a forked portion 38. Engaging the threaded portion is a movable or adjusting collar 39 having suitable means for moving the collar.

Mounted around the tubular sleeve 35 and the spindle 33 is a coiled spring l0, operating to maintain the sleeve 35 in its upward position. The upper forked end 38 of this sleeve serves as a means for connecting links 41 to the sleeve and the upper ends of the levers 30, the pivotal connection of. said links being effected by any suitable means, such as the pins 42. The upward movement of the sleeve 35 may be limited by any suitable means, such as the set screw 43.

The sleeve 35 may be provided with an aperture 44 into which a suitable tool may be inserted to hold the sleeve rigid while the spring. and spindle sections are assembled.

Mounted adjacent to the casing D is the check device preferably supported in a suitable casing G. This check device is shown as comprising a spindle 45 having a journal -16 at the upper end engaging the casing G, and a journal 47 at the lower end passing through the casing G, and the plate E,on the lower end of which journal is mounted the pawl 29. This pawl may be retained in its longitudinal'axis, is slidably mountedon the spindle 45, and one face of the block preferably engages a wall of the casing, shown in the drawings as a wall of the spring hinge casing D.

Suitable mechanism is provided to change the rotary motion of the'spindle 45 to a reciprocating motion in the block &9. One

means of accomplishing thisresultis shown ies by providing the spiral groove on the spindle 45 with a groove engaging member, such as a pin 51 in the block 49. The lower end of the spindle is preferably provided with a sleeve 52 slidably mounted thereon, said sleeve having an elongated portion 53 which is provided with a threaded aperture 54. A spring 55 is shown coiled around the spindle 45, one end of which engages the collar 52, while the other end engages the block 49.

Passing through the plate E is an adjusting screw 56 having the elongated head protruding beyond the lower surface of the door, and a flanged head 57 mounted in a part of the casing D. The shank of this screw 56 is threaded to engage the aperture 54 in the elongated arm 53 of the spring sleeve 52, for the purpose of increasing or decreasing the tension of the spring 55, the block 49 serving as compression means for said spring. It will be observed that the tension of this spring may be regulated from the exterior of the door without the removal of any of the parts.

The casing G may be attached to the casing D in any suitable manner, such as the screws shown at 58. If desired, the casing D may be made in separable parts to permit of the ready access of the various parts of the spring hinge upon removal of the plate F from the door.

In the operation of the device, the door supporting member 21 is placed in position over the weight-supporting member 18 in the floor plate in such a manner that the slot 22 engages the upstanding rib 20 of the weight-supporting member. Any suitable hinge device may be employed at the top of the door. Assuming that the door has been set in the frame, it is turned to the desired position to close the door opening. The set screw 17 in the floor plate is now rotated to tighten the clamp 13 by bringing the arms 16 closer together. vents any rotative movement of the weight supporting member 18 in the socket and, accordingly, prevents any rotative move ment of the door supporting member 20. The upstanding post 23 being rigid with the door supporting member 21, serves as a pivot around which the door rotates. Upon movement of the door to any desired position from zero to seventy degrees in either direction, the antifriction members 31 ride around the post 23 or its rollers 25 operating to proportionately spread apart the lower ends of the levers 30. This separation of the lower ends of the levers causes the links 41 to bear down upon the end of the slidable sleeve 35 of the spring actuating member,

causing a compression of the spindle section against the action of the spring 40. Upon releasing the door, the spring 40 operates to direct the sleeve 35 toward the upper end This action pre of the casing D, reversing the action of the levers to return the door to its initial position. Should it be desired to have the door remain at its fully opened position, the door can be turned to approximately ninety degrees, whereupon the antifriction members 31 will engage the rollers 25, and through the grooved surface of these rollers, as at 32, will substantially hold the door in its open position. A slight movement toward the closed position of the door will release the levers 30 from their clamping action upon the rollers 25 and permit the spring 40 to exert its action toward closing the door. To prevent the door passing its initial position and to limit its return movement to a gradual movement instead of a forcible one, the checking device, contained in casing G, is coupled directly with the door actuating mechanism. WVhen in its normally closed position, the cams 27, carried by the door supporting member, engage the slide 28 which is supported in any suitable manner on the base plate E, the pawl 29 is moved to a position to return the reciprocating block 49 to a lower position within the casing G. This block being in frictional engagement with the wall of the casing acts, together with the spring 55, as a check to the rapid movement of the door. It will be observed that the rest position of the block 49 is at a point below the top wall of the casing G to permit of additional play in the event of sudden action of the door. The movement of the door from it open position to its closed position will cause the cam 27 to move from its dotted line position in Fig. 3, to its full line position, thereby moving the slide 28' gradually to the left and rotating pawl 29 which is fast to shaft 45. This rotative movement of the shaft, by reason of the spiral groove 50, causes the block 49 to move from an upper position in the casing D to the lower position shown in Fig. 1, indicating the initial position of the door. It will be seen, therefore, that by the adjustment of the weight-supporting member 18, through the screw 17, that the door A may be set at any desired position at its initial point.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Lethaving-one end thereof stepped in said 'bear- '-ing surface, a sleeve slidably mounted on said spindle, means to connect the sleeve with the X1001, resilient means adapted tobe' placed.

3. A spring hinge for doors embodying a casing, a door-supporting member mounted on said casing and provided with a bearing surface, a spindle mounted in the casing and having one end thereof stepped in said bearing surface, a sleeve slidably mounted on said spindle for movementv in unison therewith, 'means .to connect the sleeve vvith'the door, a spring engaging said sleeve and spindle to place the spring under tension, means whereby the movement of the door will be transmitted to said sleeve and spindle, and means for maintaining the door-supporting member in an adjusted predetermined position. I

4. A spring hinge embodying a casing, a door-supporting member mounted on said casing and provided with a bearing surface, arms carried by the door-supporting member, anti-friction devices mounted on said arms, a spindle having one end stepped in said bearing surface, a sleeve slidably mounted on the spindle, a spring positioned to engage the sleeve and spindle and a plurality of levers in cooperative relation to the door supporting member and the sleeve for transmitting the movement of the door to the spring.

A spring hinge embodying a spring actuated member, a plurality of levers connected thereto, a spring for said member, a door-supporting member having means to engage the levers, and means to retain the door-supporting member against movement, whereby the movement of the door from the predetermined position will. actuate the levers and place the spring under compression to automaticallyreturn the door to its initial position. I

6. A spring hinge embodying a spring actuated member, a plurality of levers connected thereto at one end thereof, a spring to engage the spring actuated member, a door-supporting member having means to engage the levers at the other end thereof, .and means to retain the door-supporting member against movement.

7. A spring hinge embodying a door-supporting member 'PFOVldGCl with antifriction devices and an upstanding post, a springactuated membena spindle engaging said member and mounted for rotary movement on said post, a lever having one end adapted to engage the antifriction dev ces of the door-supporting member, means connecting the lever with sand spring-actuated member,

and means for retaining the door-supporting member against movement. i

8. A spring hingeemloodying a'door-supporting member provided 'With antifriction devices and a post, a spring-actuated member, a spindle engaging said member and mounted for rotary movement on said post,

means to adjust said suppo'rtingmember,

a lever provided with an antifriction device for en a 111 the antifriction devices of the door-supporting member, and means connecting the lever with the spring-actuated member. I a

A spring hinge embodying a door-supporting member provided with antifriction devices and an upstanding post, a spring actuated, member, a spindle engaging said member and mounted for rotary movement on said post, a'plurality of levers provided with antifriction devices and adapted to be actuated when engaging .antifriction devices of the door-supporting member, and links connecting the levers with the spring-actusleeve, means for adjusting the tension on said spring member, a pluralityof levers fulcrumed to the casing and adapted to engage the door-supporting member, and means connecting said levers to, said sleeve.

11. A spring hinge embodying a casing,

a door-supporting member provided With antifriction rollers, a bearing surface at the upper portion of said door-support1ngmember, ball bearings mounted in said bearing surface, a spring-actuated member, a rota table spindle engaging said spring-actuated member, the ends of said spindle bearing on said door-supporting 'member, a plurality of levers engaging said spring-actuated member and the door-supporting member, said levers being provided with antifriction rollers which are adapted to contact With,

a and rest upon, the antifriction rollers of the door-supporting member.

12. A door provided with a casing, spring hinge mechanism carried thereby, a door supporting member mounted on said casing,

a cam carried by the door supporting memher and provided 'ith a curved and flattened surface, check mechanism mounted adjacent said casing, and means adapted to be engaged by the curved and flattened portion of the cam for actuating the check mechanism.

13. A door provided with a casing, spring hinge mechanism carried thereby, a door supporting member mounted on said casing, a cam carried by the door supporting member, check mechanism mounted adjacent said casing and provided with a pawl to operate the same, and a slide positioned be tween the cam and pawl. 3

14. A door provided with a casing, spring hinge mechanism carried thereby, a door supporting member mounted on said casing, a cam carried by the door supporting member, check mechanism positioned adjacent said casing, means protruding beyond the surface of the door to regulate the tension of said check mechanism, and a slide plate adapted to be reciprocated by the cam to actuate said check mechanism.

15. A door check comprising a spindle, a reciprocating block carried thereby, resilient means concentric with said spindle and adapted to be compressed by said block, means for regulating the tension on said resilient means, a pawl carried by the spindle, and means actuated by the movement of the door to engage said pawl and rotate said spindle.

16. A door check comprising a casing, a spindle provided with a spiral groove, a reciprocating block carried by the spindle and adapted to frictionally engage a wall of the casing, means carried by the block to engage the groove of the spindle, a sleeve slidably mounted on the spindle, a spring engaging said sleeve and adapted to be compressed by the said block, means engaging the sleeve to regulate the tension on the spring, and means actuated by the movement of the door and connected with the spindle to rotate the latter and reciprocate the block to compress said spring.

17. A door check comprising a casing, a spindle, a reciprocating block mounted thereon, means whereby the rotation of the spindle will reciprocate the block, a sleeve slidably mounted on the spindle, a spring engaging the sleeve and block, means for adjusting the sleeve relative to the spindle to regulate the tension on the spring, and

and the door-supporting member against movement during the movement of the door.

19. In a spring hinge for doors, a door supporting member having a protruding convex portion and oppositely positioned cams, and a door check adapted to be actuated by one of said cams to retard the movement of the door.

20. A spring actuated hinge for doors comprising a door supporting member provided with a bearing portion, a floor plate having a concave weight-supporting member to receive said convex portion, means on the weight supporting member toengage means on the door supporting members to lock said members for simultaneous movement, and clamping means for preventing the movement of both the weightsupporting member and the door supporting member.

21. A spring actuated hinge for doors having a door-supporting member, said door-supporting member being provided with aconvex bearing portion provided with a slot, and a floor plate having a concave weight-supporting member adapted to receive said convex door-supporting memher, a rib carried by the socket for engaging the slot of the door-supporting member, and means for controlling the movement of the weight-supporting member.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES V. BERRY.

Witnesses:

I. K. UMBARGER, H. N. UMBARGER.

Copies 0! this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

